The 'Dark Side'!!! - Help Me Choose

I'm not sure who is the darker side, AA or BA?

Anyway, I've just got to AAdvantage Platinum with AA and it gives me Sapphire OneWorld status. This means that even if I fly on a $300 return trip US-UK I can check in at the 1st class counter and use any of the OneWorld lounges, including BA (which doesn't make sense as it's Terminal 1-4 and I'm usually flying T3!) and more importantly Admiral's Club which is in T3.

The reason I'm telling you all of this is that has played to some degree on my preference for Transatlantic! I made the switch to VS in June this year, signed up for FC and V-Flyer (both exceptionally good moves!) and have had just great experiences in all areas. The issue becomes this:

1. I'm going to be Silver in Dec (UC BOS-LHR for Christmas Treat going home) so I can get priority boarding in any class, this competes with PLT status and OWS (OneWorld Sapphire).

Rating
VS: AA:

2. As PLT OWS I get Lounge Access, as a Silver I don't. For people like me who always fear that the M25 is going to be a traffic jam and often isn't this helps me as I might get to LHR for my return flight some 2 hours early and have time to kill, especially after 1st class check in!

Rating
VS: [:(] AA:

3. Quality and pricing of Premium flights on VS makes AA look like (and is to some degree) a bottom tier airline. PE is one of the best things for the 6-7 hour flight. Compare J on AA to UC or UCS and VS is like a different world. Compare AA 1st to UCS and VS still wins for a fraction of the price.

Rating
VS: AA: [:(]

4. Economy travel on VS isn't as good as AA with thier current (but not to last too much longer) more room in coach. As an PLT I can choose bulkhead or the best seats online when I book, on VS I can't (unless I'm being really think). As prices are the same (within $50 buffer) this gives AA the edge. As I can't always fly UC or even the extra $400 for PE this is important sometimes.

Rating
VS: [:(] AA:

5. V-Flyer is AMAZING and it has helped me overcome fears and understand the way to fly with Virgin. Flyertalk has an AA forum which is good but some of the members are really nasty, especially when you don't know too much (like me!). AA's unofficial site is terrible.

Rating
VS: AA: [:(]

6. Upgrading is equal (IMHO) on both. From Dec AA want 25k miles each way PLUS $250 from Econ to Business but you can upgrade from any ticket type. With VS it's 30k miles each way from Econ to UC (but you have to have a more expensive type of ticket). It's also easier to collect miles as an AA PLT (not their top tier mind you) as you get 100% bonus miles for every mile you fly. As AA Silver you don't and Gold only get 25% extra.

Rating
VS: AA:

I'm a true believer that the experience of flying isn't about just being in the air but everything from leaving your home to arriving at your destination (after leaving the airport). I know you are all VS fans (as am I) but you can see that I'm now in a bit of a bind and could do with some help. I personally think that Lounge Access would swing the balance and have commented on this for Silver before but in understanding everyones comments if you made Silver 20 or 25TP instead of 15TP then this would limit lounge access to those who face issues like me when living in the US.

Sorry this is a bit long but any comments would be much appreciated.

JC.

[Decker]

As an ex-Plat AA I'd pay for Lounge Access (£15 a pop?) with ServisAir or similar. 2¢ ca ching... Wouldn't want to lose any Tier Points just in case

James,
I think it comes down to personal choice.

Even though Virgin don't offer access to Ag holders I think that reflects the fact Clubhouses are superior in most respects to any OneWorld or *A lounge.

I think VS should offer Silvers access to a partner lounge so that Semi-FF still have somewhere to wait even if its not a Clubhouse..

If Virgin America gives FC miles then it'll be the last year I worry about whether VS is the fleet of choice.

Anyone know if they will be offering FC miles and do the other smaller Virgin airlines offer them at the moment?

Thanks,

JC.

James,
All I can say is that they don't on DJ[:(]

That doesn't mean they wont on Virgin America but I dont think those details are out yet[?]

[Pete]

I know the flying club team did have talks with Virgin Blue about rolling them into FC, but this was almost a year ago. Potentially this could be something they are planning to announce with the commencement of services to Oz, or maybe a larger programme that could include Virgin America. Or it could be the conversations they had with Virgin Blue came to nothing because of commercial or operational reasons.

That said, back in June when I got to speak to SRB himself about Virgin America, he said it would be a full-class service for a LLC price. Virgin America will have the benefit of Virgin Atlantic's experience on how to offer those little extras, and it would be difficult to see them not offering FF miles (especially as JetBlue are now doing so). I am, of course, speculating here - so we'll have to wait for the official announcements.

Pix

[RichardMannion]

VS did offer Ag's access to a partner lounge a couple of years ago as a trial - but nothing more ever came of this. I know that it is somethign that is looked at, along with lounge access for PE passengers - all I can say is wait and see!

I know that the Partner Relationship manager was working with her counterpart at DJ in regards to earning and spending, it makes sense for both - I think with SYD going live it will again come to the forefront.

Thanks,
Richard

Go for VS!not that im bias!

On the DJ front- is correct no miles or anything. is rather a strange one that as DJ have a link up with United but not VS. You would have thought they would have chossen VS first. Also would have thought that VS would have been keen seeing as they partner SQ and NZ who have over 50flights a week into australia. Made more of a shame seeing as I have flown DJ 4 times in the last year and got nothing in return! Typical now im back in the UK they think of a link!

Don't worry folks, VS still wins but you see my point to some degree I hope.

As for the miles... if they seriously want to attract business travellers who do domestic and international in the US (like me ) then I think awarding miles for Virgin America and VS and vice versa would be good. I'm wondering, however, what their views on even entering the US are after ATA went tits up!

JC.